Glossary of terms in Ayurveda

This is a glossary of terms and concepts used in Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an ancient medical science of India, based on tradition. It is closely associated with the Atharvaveda, and mythical sage (rishi) Dhanvantari is believed to be the first practitioner of ayurveda. It is a traditional system of medicine, based on observation and experience, and it expounds that all the ailments originate on account of imbalances of wind, bile and phlegm in the human bodies. The treatment involves mainly use of water, minerals, herbs and several other natural substances with or without processing.

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A partial list of various terms and phrases used in Ayurveda is presented below.

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abhyanga

A unique way of anointing the body and perform strokes in a regular fashion.

Agada Tantra

the study of toxicology

Agni

literal meaning fire – in the sense of a term of Ayurveda, agni governs and controls digestion and metabolism

Ahara Shakti

appetite and the capacity to digest

Akash

sky or ether

B

Bal Chikitsa

pediatrics

Basti

a type of enemas using herbs – an essential step in the cleansing stage in the therapy known as pancha—karma therapy

Bheda

last stage of any ailment or disease – at this stage the ailment or the disease would have become chronic

Bhrajaka

to spread or to diffuse

C

Chapati

a type of bread made of wheat flour and cooked on griddle – used in several parts of India.

Charaka

an Ayurvedic physician of great antiquity

Charaka Samhita

an ancient treatise on Ayurveda written by Charaka

Chatai

a mat made of common straw

D

Dharma

religion and religious duty

E

F

G

Ghee

clarified butter

Graha Chikitsa

Ayurvedic psychiatry

H

I

J

Jal

water

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

Ushana - Hot

V

W

X

Y

Z

References

• Gerson, Scott. Ayurveda: The Ancient Indian Healing Art. Boston: Element Books, 1993.
• Hospodar, Miriam Kasin. Heaven’s Banquet: Vegetarian Cooking for Lifelong Health the Ayurveda Way. New York: Dutton, 1999.
• Lad, Vasant. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies. New York: Harmony Books, 1998.
• Lonsdorf, Nancy, Veronica Butler, and Melanie Brown. A Woman’s Best Medicine: Health, Happiness nd Long Life Through Ayur-Veda. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, 1993.
• Raichur, Pratima, with Marian Cohn. Absolute Beauty. New York: Harper Collins, 1997.
• Hari Sharma, and Christopher Clark. Contemporary Ayurveda: Medicine and Research in Ayurveda. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1998.
• Sharma, Hari. Freedom from Disease. Toronto: Veda Publishing, Inc., 1993.

External links